Marissa Salvesen

My journey into the world of senior living began when I started working for United Methodist Homes in 2010. Starting as an Activities Director at one of our-winning assisted and independent living communities and then transitioning to Marketing and Promotions Manager for UMH, I now work as the Manager of Mission Development, fostering the Mission and Values of our organization. I love sharing stories about the many ways we build meaningful relationships and enrich the lives of those we serve, and am proud to be part of building UMH’s 140-year legacy of caring. Wondering what makes our communities such special places to live and work? Connect with me and find out!

As you think about the best ways to care for your aging parent or loved one, one of the things you can do that will provide the most benefit in all areas of life is encouraging exercise. Being active can help your aging senior in a wide range of ways, from strengthening social relationships to improving memory and even preventing depression.

Meet Ruth Schless, a resident at one of our award-winning UMH senior living communities, Crosby Commons. Ruth moved to Crosby Commons (Shelton, CT) in the summer of 2015 and enjoys an active and comfortable life in her new home. “I love the fact that I have my own furniture from my family home here in my apartment at Crosby,” Ruth shared. Her home at Crosby, which is decorated with both style and comfort, is warm and welcoming for any guest.

Not sure what senior living and care solution is best for your loved one? Start making sense of your options.

Did you know that May is “Get Caught Reading” month? This national initiative of the Association of American Publishers aims to encourage readers of all ages to discover -- or rediscover -- the joys of reading. Need even more incentive to encourage your aging loved one to pick up a book this spring? May 8th kicks off a week-long “Reading is Fun” celebration. The takeaway for caregivers? There’s no better time than right now to encourage seniors to read, and/or to share their love of reading with others.

It’s never too late for new beginnings. Now is the perfect time to adopt this positive outlook on life. In fact, an abundance of research points to the numerous benefits of creative activities for older adults (from personal growth, to feelings of purpose and competency) all of which are factors that help one live well at any age. To that end, we’ve listed five ways to help aging loved ones pursue new creative beginnings of their own.

As we remember our veterans on Veterans Day and throughout the year, may we never forget their sacrifice, their bravery, and their resilient spirits. Our lives today have been shaped by their service to our country and for that we are so very grateful.

Navigating the world of senior living and care options can be pretty tricky. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a road map? Or maybe just something (or someone) to help guide you along the best path? This guide will offer an overview of a few of the most common senior living options and help you navigate your way through them. Whether you are planning ahead to avoid a crisis or you are scrambling to take care of an immediate need, use this guide as a road map to help you find the most practical solution for your aging loved one’s changing care needs.

The arrival of blue skies, sunny days and warm weather in springtime means summer is on its way. It also means something else for older adults who may have spent the winter hibernating inside: the perfect opportunity to get moving. But whether your aging loved one is a daily walking enthusiast or only interested in minimal activity, stretching is an important part of the exercise equation, and can be done nearly anywhere at anytime. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of stretching for seniors, along with some simple ways to help them make stretching part of their lives.

As many as a full quarter of Americans experience urinary incontinence, according to the Urology Care Foundation. However, experts struggle to put an exact number on the prevalence of this condition for one reason: most people suffer in silence out of either embarrassment or the belief that there’s nothing that can be done to remedy the problem. But the truth is, urinary incontinence doesn’t have to be part of the aging equation. Let’s take a closer look at this common health issue, along with highlighting some management and treatment options.

It’s hard to think about the ones we love getting older and losing their independence, but it’s a fact of life for millions of Americans. And while assisted living is a particularly sought-after means of aging in place, the transition to a nursing home, or skilled nursing facility, is sometimes an inevitable course of action to ensure the ongoing health and wellbeing of aging adults. Unfortunately, at the time of greatest need, securing a spot in a nursing home for your aging loved one may be harder than you think. Let’s take a closer look at this growing problem, and see why getting on a waiting list at a skilled nursing facility is such a smart solution.

Faithful Stewards... A Closer Look at the People Who Make the Mission of UMH Possible UMH is so grateful for the support of our donors. We have so many faithful stewards who have joined us on our journey of caring and we are delighted to take this opportunity to introduce you to a few of them.... their stories have become a part of ours. Many, many thanks to all of our donors for their dedication and generosity. We couldn't do what we do without you... Meet Olle and Elaine Haggstrom! It gives us great joy and delight to feature an amazing couple in this “Faithful Stewards” article. Olle and Elaine Haggstrom are longtime friends, benefactors and stewards of the United Methodist Homes family. Shown below is a recent photograph, as well as a picture from their wedding day, Olle and Elaine recently celebrated 65 years of marriage! What an incredible blessing.